Internal-combustion engine



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W. HARPER, JR

INTERNAL iCOMBUS'IION ENGINE mets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15

INVENT'OR A TTORNE Y Emily EN?, W29.. W. wwwmain, .mx

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Aug. la, 1923 Sheets-sheet wly 3m, WHWww. Mmmm-2R, .m l Mm@ INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Aug. 1.8, v191238 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTGR IN VEN TOR ATTORNEY (Iii ` IN VENTOR A TTORNEY www m mm HMWFEW,JW

INTERNAL CAOMBUSTION ENGNE Filed Aug. 1.6, 1923 8 fSheets-She'tWMYWWWHW' Wwmmwwm Mw hww INTERNAL CMBUSTIOW NGINE Filed Aug. la, 1923 asheets-sheet s Wim Wa- W 'Pantd July 3o, 1929."

- UNITED-Sms PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HAnrEn, Jn., or 'NEW BLOOMFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIGNon roAnimeroAN GAs TURBINE CORPORATION, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION orDELA- WARE.

. INTEBNAL-ooNrnUs'rIoN- ENGINE' Y,

Application ledliugust 18, 1923. SerialNo. 658,035.

, This invention relates to internal combustion engines, andhasparticular reference to means for increasing the eiiiciency of com-Apression' t now commonly constructed.

In the common type of engine'compression is obtainedby pro ortioning thepiston displacement torthe ree s ace inthe cylinder head, while the4heat o combustion is utilized by the working" piston or Ais lost inthecylinder walls and exhaust. During compression, theicombustible mixturemayjabsorb some heat from the-cylinder walls, and of course is somewhatraised in temperature by the compression. It is also common to apply asmall amount of heat to the combustible mixture before compression forbetter vaporization of liquid fuel.' A substantial amount of heat cannottherefore be added to the mixture before or during compression, or thecompression 'raised to increase efficiency in present types of enginesbecause of preignition with consequent hammering ype reciprocatingpistonengines as and loss of power ldue ;to an explosion or detonation beforethe compression stroke is completed.

It' the temperature and compression of the charge be materially raisedduring the compression strokeand any detonation or advanced ignitionresultingtherefrom be utilized in producing a forward rather than abackwardtorque On the rotary element, an increased overall efficiency'of the engine is produced.

According to this invention, such result is obtained without preignitionina multicylinder engine by connecting'through the shortest straightpassage, a workin cylinder when under high pressure of. urmng orincandescent gas, to a compressing cylin--- der at lower pressure soasto effect a 'transfer of heat and pressure tothe compressing.

' cylinder substantially before the limit of movement'of thecompressionstroke of the piston. I am aware that it has heretofore'be'en'proposed to supercharge a compressing cylinder from a workingcylinder either indirectly with inert cooled gas from an intermediatechamber, or to transfer flame for ignition of the'compressed charge.This invention differsfrom such proposals in not being subject-to thelimitation inherent therelength for direct flame transmission withoutquenching.

' This application contains features common to Amy previous applicationS. N. 427,475, iled December 1, 1920, and S. N. 485,499, filed July-18,1921. In the former the cylinders vcarried'by the rotor are radial andthe differentially driven valve carried inlet ports, cross firing portsand exhaust portsfor the entire charge, the pistons being actuated byyokes travellinglwith the rotor on stationary eccentrics, with handcontrolled mechanism for varying the timing of the valve. In the laterapplication, the valve and piston drive are the same, but the Valve istapered and provided with means for automatically unseating it toVprevent sticking when expanded by are tangentially disposed to -an innercircle at such angle that a direct forward torque is produced'by theexplosion even before the piston reaches dead center during thecompression stroke. In the engine of this application the above featuresof piston and -valve drive and tangential cylinders are em` ployed,together with'a main exhaust system controlled by the piston and leadingthe bulk of the exhaust heat away from the valve. The final orscavenging' exhaust is through the valve, butthis exhaust is at such lowtemperature as not to cause trouble in valve lubrication orsticking dueIto uneven ex-' pansion. In connection with -this main exhaustl systemafurther valve mechanism is 4provided for the purpose of 'preventingback re into the cylinderat the beginning of .the compression strokebefore the main exhaust port is closed by the piston to the exhaust fromanother cylinder. The engine of this application alsocomprises variousimprovements in details ofconstruction including water circulation,accessibility, etc. In com- .bination with the conical valve is alsoprovided a balancing device to op Ose .the unseating moment due tocylinA er pressure, whereby a light seating spring can be used, insteadof one resisting the longitudinal thrust of the maximum cylinderpressure.

Imthe accompanying drawings, Figa 1 is a longitudinal vertical crossseci tion of the engine,

tion of the rotor,

F'g. 5 is a transversescction showing the A main cylinder exhaustportson'the 'line 5--5 showing the balancing device,

of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 shows one of the wrist pin yokes, Fig. 7 is a perspective View ofthe valve7 Fig. 8 is-a section on the line 8-8 of Fig.

' 4 to show the cooling water circulation,

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the valve Fig. 10 is a detail of thevanes in the vvalve for breaking up the'fuel mixture,

Fig. 11 is a section of the valve with the enfrin'e on center showingthe valve seated open for intake, Fig. 12-is a similar section showingthe valve .slightly displaced longitudinally to 4prevent sticking,

Fig. 13 is a valve section showing the ex haust position. f

Fig. 14 isa detail section of the end of the valve,

Fig. 15 is a development of the cylinder head ports,

. shaft rotating as a unit in the casing Fig. 16 is a development of thecenter differentially rotatable valve ports, Fig. 17 'shows the 'maincylinder eihaust port,

Fig. 18 shows a development of the ports in a stationary sleevepreventing preignition,

Fig. 19 shows a section of the valve and shaft through whichsupercharging and cross ignition occur, and

Figs '20, 21, 22A are views showing the mechanism .for manuallycontrolling the rotary valve timing for superbharging and crossignition.

The 'invention comprises a b'ase casing 1 with a removable top 2 and aremovable end casing 3 having mounted therein in bearings 4, 5, arotatable tubular shaft 6 having fixed thereto a rotor casting 7`carrying vetan'- gentially'set cylinders 8, thecylinders and' 1, 3.Mounted ona'iixed portion of the oaslng as the ring 9 is an eccentricring 10, having a T-shaped track 11 in which run the yokes 12 carryingwrist pins 13 connected to the pistons 14, the wrist pins 13 being intubes 15 which slide in slots 16 in the cylinders 8. 17 are water jacketspaces cored inthe rotor casting surrounding the cylinder as shown inFigs. 1, 2, 4 and 8, and providing for centrifugal water circulation asshownl in Fig. 8, the water coming 1n through pipe 20 passi ing bypassage 21 within the shaft extension 22 to passage 23in detachable..end.plate-24, thence by' key tubes 25,'whichf'keythe rotor casting to theshaft`6, thence byv passage 26 in flange 27 of shaft' section 28 'topassage 29 v in the cylinder jacket, thence around 4the cylinder inspace 30, thencefreturn tothe exhaust sidev of the cooling systemthrough albined centrifugal and -forc'edcooling .circu lation. As shownherein, threeof theV key-: -tubes 31 are exhaust tubes and the remainingtwo 25 are inlet tubes, the lvolume o f'exhaust water being slightlygreater thanintake` water owing to the ex ansion:

The charge inlet'is y pipe 35 through vternate key tubes 31,passage."32, -puinp and exhaust. 34 to a radiator or other cooler s andthence to the intake 2.0,'providing ci-.Come 75L- charge mixingdev'ice36 rotating with'the r-V f tor, see Figs.`9, 10 to interior 40 of valvebody 41. The valve body 41 is vcylindricalto bear within-shaft 6 andcarries a driving gear 42 and atthe otherend is attached conical valvesection 43 with valve inlet ports 44. Inf termediate-shaftsectioncarries five ports .j

45, registered with cylinder ports 46,-' three valve ports 44; servingthe five. cylinders owing to the dilierential rotation of thevalvewithin the shaft. `The valve also carriesthree auxiliary exhaust ports48, 48,48, and' intervening cross firing land 'supercharging ports49,49, 49show1ng 1n section 1n Fig.

` sion .toebe supercharged and fired `through the straight cross passagein the valve. I

419 -arranged so as to provide a straight pashave found that thequenching effect of bent4 or angular. passages and the ga's flowretardation thereof prevent cross liring and supercharging,necessitating straight passagesjofminimum distance between cylinders asshown herein: f 4

' The cross firing chamber 53 thereby formed between the ports 49 alsoenables a hot wire 54 to be provided for starting ignition, this hotwirebeing connected on one sidebyeleo trode 55 which in' turn is carried bya block f 56 in electrical contact with a plug 57 and plunger 58controlled by spring 59 connected to terminals 60 for a battery orothersource of heating current, the other side of hot wire 54 being groundedon the shell 61 and thence through the center of charge distributingvane 36..to the end frame .65, or ground, 'sothat no short-circuit ismade around the hot wire 54. It is important to provideV proper 'firingport design in order to avoid quenching effect, and such-a design is'shown in Fig. 9

vwherein the nipples 66 carrying the narrowed 4 ports 49 are screwedinto the valve body 43 and into the firing chamber body 67, see Figs.

9, 19 and providing charge inletpassages 68 around the cross firechamber so as to fur-- nish free and ample charge inlet passage area tothe valve inlet.p0rts44, and thence through Al shaft ort and `cylinderhead port 46 the cylin ei' during'thesuctionpr'outvvard stroke`head-.port 4 6, shaft port 45, and valve ex'- jhaust port 77 andtubular valve 72 carriedby valve body 43 to the main exhaust passafe 73.The initial or supercharge andv cross {Qn-ing exhaust has already `beensufficiently de` scribed, and the timing is effected by manual means tobe hereafter described. The point at which this may occur will varyaccording to the compression, smcethe firingv4 cylinder pressure mustexceed vthe compressmg'cyhnder pressure in order to effect the transfer.I

' have obtained satisfactory results at all points between 80' in'advance of innermost piston position. -Preferably the axes'of thecylinder 'are tangent to a circle whose radius is'equal to one-halfthepistonstroke, resulting in a five cylinderl engine Whose dead centeris practically about S21/2 in advance of inner piston position.'Ignition at any point inside of S21/2 therefore occurs during aperiod'of increasing compression but owing to the tangential cylinderarrangement, together with the yoke, eccentric ring, and eccentricconstruction and arrangement, all knocking on bearings,.connec'tingrods,`etc. is obviated. This construction is best understood from a lstudy vof Fig; 2, which shows the tangential cylinders andpowertransmission elements with their large sliding surfaces and precisefitting, yet elastic, makeup, with no substantial-leverage to cause anyappreciable knock.

0f the two substantially horizontal pair of cylinders inFig.v2, that atthe left is working andthe 'other compressing. Cross firing is justtaking place between them, but of course by changing the valve timing,cross iire may be made to occur later or at the end ofthe compressionstroke.

AThe main exhaust Will'be understood from Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 17-.` Thecylinder ports 70 open into a passage 71 cast in the` side of the rotorcasting (Fig. 4) and are closed by plate 24, but run ina curveddirection as shown so as to permit ofwater jacketing between, to exhaustpassage 74 which is controlled by ports in the cylindrical portion oftubular valve 72 mounted on valve body 43, and thence 'leading to mainexhaust' passage 73. This additional control of exhaust port 74 -by anauxiliary valve is desirable in a four cycle engine because ports 79 areopened at the end of the suction stroke and Without be `ing Vclosed 4bythe space between vports l75 would possibly permit hot exhaust gas to bedrawn into exhaust ports 70 into a cylinder just completing the suctionstrokeor the exhaust from otherA cylinders might back fire.

Back firing' is prevented by tlie'arrangement shown or an equivalent. Itis .further to be observed that valve 7 2-being carried-by theVdifferentially rotatable inlet valve bodyrequires three port-s 75 toserve five cylinders. The main advantage of this arrangement is that thetemperature of the valve'body 43 is kept very low, owing to the mainheatfrom .the main exhaust being diverted past the conical portion of valvebody 43, thus enabling thelatter to be easily lubricated and fittedwithoutexcessive and unequal expan- .sion due tothe transfer of so muchheat in such a small4 space.

It still remains to -scavenge the cylinder bythe inward stroke of thepiston, which is accomplished through the cylinder ports 446co-operating with exhaustports 48 in valve body 43, these ports leadingthrough one of s three ports' v77 in conical valve 72, see Fig. 1,3.This portion of the exhaust is satisfac# torily accomplished withoutoverheating of the lvalve body both because of the circulation of inletgas within the valve body and also becausethe temperature of theexhaustduring the scavenging stroke is very low due i to the expansion throughmain exhaust ports .70.' The exhaust tube exhausts through ports 79 into`exhaust pipe 80, and issurrounded on one side by Water inlet passage 21and en the other by water exhaust passage 32 as before described.

The conical valve'body 43 is held seated' byspring '59, and the tensionof spring 59 is adjusted by thumb screw 83, see Figs'. 1, 9. The drivinggear 42 ofthe valve meshes with gear on stpd'shaft 86 mounted inadjustable arm 87. Gear 85 is connected to larger gear 88 which inturnmcshes With.v gear 89 carried by the rotor, thus producing thedifferential drivebetween the. rotor 'and the valve: In a' veylinderengine the valve is driven one-sixth slower than the speed of the rotorand the ratio' varies -with the number of cylinders being one-eighthslower for with a curved rack 92 which meshes with a pinion 93.011 ahand shaft 94. so that by turning the hand shaft 94 the differentialvalve feature. 96 is a rim orwguide plate fitting in a slot in the endof arm 87 to'hold it in line. A geared drive, -as to pulley 100, can bei taken cil fromgear 89 through gear 101 on shaftv 102.`

The skew gear 42 lixed on valve body 41 l meshes -with a siinilarinternal gear cream `91- fastened to gear' 90, and set to have a normaltendency to move the valve longitudinally to the left in Figs; '1, 9, 11against 2 spring 59, the tension of the spring being Y adjusted toresist this back thrust of the skeW` gears, except when upon tendency ofthe valve to stick on the conical seat -in the shaft,

4as by expansion or lack of lubrication, the

thrust of the gears overcomes the spring and al-loivs'th'e valve tounseat itself automatically. Thejg'ears 95,88, ctc. are also skciv gearsfor quietness in running.

Although there is not much longitudinal thrust in a conical valve fromcylinder p ressure, it is found that a relativelylieavy spring 59 isreqiiired in a high pressure engine to hold the valve down. By balancingout this thrust, a lighter spring can be used, the valve stays downinstead of vibrating into and out of ythe seat, and less driving poiveris used.

mits the` thrustto vthe forward (right) end of the valve through nipples66. The movable head 11G slides on tube 117 but thrusts against shoulder118 on body 119-Which slides tlirough'vane ring BGand thence throughtliriist'bearing 120 to engine frame 65. T he 'tube 119 slides over theAcylinder body, and sliding Ahead 116 has a packed fit, as shown in thecylinder body.l The sliding movement offhcad 11G relatively tosliou-lder 118 prothe details disclosed Without departing from vides forexpansion, and wear of the valve inthe seat. The cylinder pressurethruston the valve is thus balanced out, leaving the seating pressurepractically determined by 'the tension of spring 59. The balancingpressure is-determined by the area of cylin der head 115, to be more orless tlianthe cylindeiipressiire tending to unseat the valve byovercoming spring 59. The present construction is of especial advantagein an elongated conicalvalve ofielatively slight taper,

but' is applicable to all types of rotary conical valves whereinunseating from cylinder pressure may occur, By tapering block 57. toenlarged ends as shown, the oil tends to centrifugally traveltowardstlie ends andlu- 'biicate the block-ends in blocks 56, 5.8. Theround ended block 57 also permits slight disalignment dueto bearing orvalveivear, etc.;`

without getting out of order.

Starting `ignition is effected by acompressed charge 1n a compressingcylinder flowing backward through ignition port 49 into chamber 53 undersufficient compression to ignite and thenlash backthrough port 49 intothe compressing'cylinder, with slight-loss into the second succeedingcylinder during its working stroke, which may, if there be suificientcharge present', fire this cylinder`also shortly after the" compressingcylinder fired.. Starting ignition iseasily obtained in this manner. 1 l

The engine isinostly oiled by'centrifugal y force as described-in theaforesaid earlier applications, the'spiral oil grooves in the valve andother parts not -being shown herein becaiise disclosed in the aforesaidapplications. Centrifugal force 1n this engi/ne may cause cylinderoil-.froin the iston and diderential valvelubrication to col ecton thepiston head, to discharge `which an oil slot 103 With pas-a sage 104leading out through the 'casting is provided just-'above ports70 on theleading or highest part of the cylinder which is just cleared by thepiston, see Figs. 2 and 4, and the. piston heads are slightly dishedoutwardly as shown in Fig. l1 so that. any/oil or .oil`

spray collected by the piston head is cen-v trifiigallydischarged'throughjtliis port and passage into the casing, and thenceusedagain.

number lof outstanding inventions, among tion, only requires startingelectrical ignition aoV . lhe engine of this invention-embodies a' whichare that it is balanced during operabutcan be-run-on electrical ignitionif desired,

-is verv .flexible incontrol owing to ability to shift tlie'valve Whilerunning to vary the timing, is highly ei'cient because oftlie'supercharging and cross ignition, the 'valve is maintained cool andhence without objectionable tendency'to stick, score or wear and withani .ple lubrication, and the vengine as a Whole is adequately cooledand lubricated. Various modifications and changes may be made in thebroad scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combustion engine comprising a cyl-- inder, a piston therein,driving connections for the piston, a rotatable tapered valvecontrolling the passage (if hot gas 'from the cyl- 'inder through itstapered portion, and means controlling the passage of another portion ofport and combustion space at the inner end,

Aa piston in each cylinder,'means for reciphot gas from the cylinderaround said valve.

A p dependently [of said valve.

` port and coin rocating the pistons during cylinder rotation,

a rotary valve concentric with the cylinder movementhaving inlet andvexhaust assages l cooperatiniwith saidport, .means or driv-.` ing thevave, and means controlled by the piston for discharging the mainexhanstin- .4f Ina combustion engine, a rotor includ- ,.ing .divergin cylinderseach having .a gasV 10 port and com ustion space at -the inner end,

1a piston in each cylinder, means for reciproeating the. pistons duringcylinder rotation, a

tapered rotary valve concentric withthe cylinde'r movement having inletand exhaust or differentially drivin l .2o f5. -In a-com'biistionengine, a rotor including-diverging cylinders each havinga gas .pston'ineach cylindenmeans for reciprocating the pistons during cylinderrotation,

2.5 ,a tapered rotary valve concentric with the cylinder movementVhaving inlet and exhaust passages cooperating. with said port, meansforA` differentially driving-the valve, means for balancing the valveagainst cylinder presy '30 sure, and means controlled bythe piston for'discharging the main exhaust independently y of said valve.

6. Inal combustion engine, a rotor includ- *ingdivergin' cylinders eachhaving agas '35 portandcom ustion space at the inner end,

a piston in each cylinder, means for reciprov eating the pistons duringcylinder rotation, a

1 valve concentr'ic with' the cylinder movement for controlling aportion of the exhaust from 40 said cylinders, means for passing themain portion of the exhaust around -s'aid valve, and

means to prevent back lire from said last mentioned exhaust means 7. Acombustion engine comprising a cylin-` .45' der, a piston therein,driving connections for the iston, a rotatable tapered valve for controling the passage Aof hot gas from the cylinder, a tapered-valve seat,means for holding the valve on its seat, means for controlling theunseatinT eii'ect of cylinderpressure,

and means for. riving the valve in timed relation to the piston.

8; The combin tion with a tubular ported shaft carrying Vcylindershavingregistering .5.5 head ports, of pistons in the cylinders, meansfor' reciprocating the pistons as the cylinders yrotate a tubular drivenvalve Within the shaft having a charge inlet passage and portsco-operating with said cylinder ports to admit charge, means 'for cross-firing and supercharging a compressing cylinder from -a workingcylinder, and means for exhausting the Working cylinder.

9. The combination with a tubular ported shaft carrying cylinders havingregistering and partly around said valve.

ustion space atlthe inner end, a.

head ports, of pistons the cylinders, meansfor reciprocating the pistonsas the cylinders .charging a compressing 4cylinder from a workingcylinder, and means forexhausting the Working cylinder partly throughsaid.

valve and partly around said valve through a piston controlled cylinderport.

.- 1l. The combination with 'a tubular ported shaft carryi-ng'rotatablecylinders tangent to a circle concentric With their movement havingregistering head ports, of pistons in the cylinders, moans forreciprocating the pistons as the cylinders rotate, a tubulardiierentially driven valve within the shaft having a '-charge inletpassage and ports co-operating with said *cylinderv ports to admitcharge, means including transverse passages through the valve betweensaid linlet passages for cross firing and su'percharginga compressingcylinder from a Working cylinder, said transverse passages-having4constricted ends adjacent the valve periphery, and means for exhaustingthe working cylinder.

l2. A combustionvengine ofthe tangentially arranged rotating cylinder tye with a driven tubular valve within the sha t having. a transversecross firing and Asuperc arging passage with constricted ends adjacent.the valve periphery for connecting a Working cylinder to a compressingcylinder to fire saine in advance of completion of the compressionstroke. Y

13. A combustion engine of the 'tangentially arranged rotating cylinderty e with a driven 'tubular valve Within the sha having 'atransversecr'oss firing and supercharging rotate, a tubular driven valveWithin the shaft ioo means for manually shifting the timing of the crossignition and supercharging during operation. i

14. In a rotary reciprocating combustion engine having a plurality ofcylinders each4 provided lWith -a gas port' and combustion space at theinner end, pistons in said cylinders, driving connections forthepistons,

means engaging saiddiiving connections vfor iso rotating the cylinders,the combination with a differentially driven concentric .valve forcontrolling the supplyof driving fluid to said `cylinders, of means fordriving thevalve. in.

Vtimed relation to the-cylinders, charging a portion of the exhaustthrough.

means for'dissaid valve, means for leading olf -another'portion of theVexhaust from said cylinders'laronnd Y said valve, and .an auxiliary'valve controlling the exhaust through said last mentioned means. i

-and combustion space at the 'inner inlet valve, an exhaust port attheouter end controlled by the, piston, and a supplemen-` 15. rotaryreciprocating combustionengine having cylinders .with the gas inlet portend, an-

' tary valve for preventing back firingthrough said cylinder exhaustport when the cylinder is charged With fresh gas.A

16.' A rotary reciprocating combustionlnginel having 'cylindersivth thegas inlet port and combustion space at the inner end, aninletvalve, anexhaustportat the outer end controlled by the piston, and a valvecontrolling said exhaust port during aiportionr of each alternate likepiston stroke. 4 17. A .rotary reciprocating combustion exil' ginehavingcylinders with the `gas' i-nle't'po'rt and combustion space at the innerend, an inlet valve, an 'exhaust' portat the outer end con` trolled bythe piston,l and a supplementary.

differentially rotatable 4valve controlling saidv exhaust port duringa'portion 'of-.each alternate like piston stroke.

18. A combustion engine comprising a c ylinder, a piston therein,drivingconnectionsfor the piston,'a tapered valve' for controlling thepassage of hot gas from the cylinder, a tapered valve seat, means forVholding the 'valve on its seat, means for controlling the unseatingeffect of cylinder pressure,- andmeans for driving tlievalvein timedrelation to the piston, means for longitudinally shifting the valve onincrease of driving torque, and means for passing the main portion ofhot gas the cylinder around said valve.

1-9. A rotary. reciprocating combustion en.:

.gine having4 cylinders With the gas inlet port .and combustion space atthe inner end, la

tubular shaft carrying the cylinders, a tribu-. f

lar differentially driven valve body .Within the shaft having a lessnumber of inlet -p ortS than the number-of cylinders and connected, atone end to 'a source'off fuel charge "andcommunicating With theicylindercombustion4 spaces throughports in the shaft and cylinder head,`an'exhaust port at the outer .end of each "cylinder controlledby thepiston, and

supplementary "exhaust ports in .said 'valve body leading to theop'posite'end and co-Ofp# erating with said Ashaft andi cylinder headports. A

l' 20. A rotary -reciprocatingcombustion 'en-l gine having cylinderswith the gas inlet port and combustion space at .tlie inner end, a

from.'

5to the hollow shaft-F tubular shaft carrying the c linders, valtubui--lar 'differentially 4driven va ve .body within the shaft having a lessnumberjof inlet ports than the number of cylinders andconnected at oneend to a source of fuel vcharge-and communicating with `the cylindercombustion 4spacesthrough ports in the shaft 'and cylinder head, anexhaust port at the outer end of each cylinder controlled by the piston,supy plementarygexhaustpo'rts in sa-id valve body eading to v.the.opposite end and co-operatiig vvitli said shaft and cylinder headports,i and a supplementary valve for preventing back firing throughsaid'cylinder exhaust port ltvhenftlie cylinder is charged With freshgas. 21. A rotary reciprocating combustion' enand combustion space atthe inner end, atubu- Alar shaft carryin thecylinders, aV tubulardifferentially riven valve body within the shaft having a lessnumber ofinlet ports gine having cylinders Withtlie gasinlet poi-t than thenumber. of cylinders and connected `atone end to a source of fuel chargeand donimunicating with the cylindecombustion spaces' through ports inthesliaft and cylinderj head, an exhaust port at the outer end Vofeachcylinder` controlled bythe piston, sup- .pleinentary exhaust portsinsaid vvalve body leading to the opposite end and oo -operating 4withsaidfshaft and cylinder head ports, and

a-valve controlling said exhaust port during aportion of eachalternatelike pistonstroke. 22. A rotary reciprocating combustion engine havingcylinders with the gas inlet port i and combustionspace at the innerend, a' tubular shaft'carrying the cylinders, a tubular differentiallydriven y A lve body Within the. shafthaving a less num er of inletports. than the'number of cylindersand connected at one endto a sourceof fuel charge and 'communieating with the v'cylinder combustion spacesthrough ports in the shaft-and cylinder head,

an exhaust port at the outer end ofeacli cylinder controlledl by thepiston, supplementary exhaust ports in said valve body lead ing totheopposite end andco-operating with saidjshaftand cylinder head ports, anda su 3,- plen'ientary valvefcai'ried by the valve bo y,

controllingsaid 'exhaust port during a por- Vtion of each alternate likepiston stroke.

y12??. Arotaryfcylinder combustion engine having. apluralityhoftangentially arranged 24.-'. A "rotary cyl' 'der cembu'stion 'I engine lhaving, a plurality'of tangentially arranged cylinders on a hollow sliaft,`with the gas inlets and combust'ionspaces at'the inner ends,

inlet valve mechanism for charging each cylinder, a..pistoncontrolled'exhaustif-'port in l each cylinder, an exhaust`passage'fleading 'therefrom tothe hollovv shaft, and means pren ventingpreignition of a charged cylinder :from the shaft exhaust passage.

25. In a rotary cylinder combustion engine havinga dilferentially drivensupercharging valve with central gas chamber and trans-A verse passagefor'superacharging and cross tiring a compressing cylinder froma Workingcylinder, an ignition device in said chamber for starting ignition. l

26. In' combination with a tubular rotatable valve, a cross ignitionchamber body therein,

and' ported nipples securing the chamber body in the valve body, thenipple ports being' iii a substantially straightline itorming4 a vchordof the valve body.

27 In a combustion engine, a rotor including diverging cylinders, eachvhaving a gas p'ort and combustion space at the inner end, a -20' pistonin each cylinder, means 'or recipro# eating the pistons duringcylinderrotation, a tapered `rotary valve concentric with the cylindermovement provided with gas passages, means balancingsaid valve againstunseating by ylinder pressure, and means 4for driving-said'valve.

` 28. In a combustion engine, a rotor ineluding diverging cylinders,each having a gas port andcoinbustion space at the inner end land apiston controlled exhaust port at the 'outer end, apiston in eachcylinder, means for reciprocating the pistons during cylinder rotation,a tapered rotary valve 'concentric with thelcylinder movement providedwith gaspassa'ges, vmeans balancing said valve ."against unseating bycylinder pressure, and

. ing divergine -seating by cylinder pressure.

3Q. In a eombiistion'engine, a rotor includ? cylinders, each having agas port and combustion space at the inner end, a

piston in each cylinder, means for reci procatc ing the pistons duringcylinder rotation. a t1- pered rotary valve concentric with the cyliidermovement provided with supply and 'ex-4 t. by 'the 'inletvalvecontrollingv said Ilexhaust haust passages, transverse passages betweensaid supply and exhaust passages for tiring I der, a tapered valveseat,means for holding'- a succeeding from a working cylinder, meansbalancing said valve against 4unseating by cylinder pressure, and meansfordriving' said valve. l

31. A ,combustion engine' comprising 'aj cylinder, a piston therein,driving connec'.

tions for the piston, a tapered valve foi'lcontrolling the passage ofhot gas from the cylinthe valve on its seat, means for controlling theunseating Aeffect of cylinder pressure. and means for driving'the valveinV timed relation tothe piston, "and means for adjusting the timing ofsaid valve during rotation.

32. In a rotary reciprocating combustion engine, the combinationwith aplurality of cylinders, of a shaft on which the` cylinders are mounted,pistons within the cylinders,

means conneetedto the pistonsvfor producing' rotation of the cylinders,a valve Within said shal't, supply', exhaust, and cross-firing ports insaid valve, and another exhaust port in the side wall of said cylinders.

33. The combination with a plurali-tyv of cylinders, of a shaft on whichthe cylinders are mounted, pistons with-in the cylinders, meansconnected tosaid pistons for producing rotation of the cylinders, avalve Within -t-he shaft, ni'eans for driving said valve at a differentspeed with respect to the cylinders,

supply, exhaust, and cross-firing portsin the valve, other exhaustportsjin the side walls of the'cylinders, and an auxiliaryvalvecontrolling the second mentioned exhaust ports.

.34.; vIn a rotary reciprocating combustion ,i engine', the combinationwith a plurality of cylindersv` of a shaft on which the cylindersarefmounted, pistons lWithin the-cylinders, means connected to thepistons for' producing rotation of the cylinders, avalve Within saidshaft, supply ports in the valve, an exhaust passageway in the side wallofjea'ch cylinder controlled by the piston, an 'auxiliary valve forcontrolling said exhaustl passageway,.and means for adjusting the timingof said auxiliaryvalve While the engine isrotating.

35. In a rotary reciprocating combustion engine, the combination With'aplurality of cylinders, of a shaft on which the cylinders are mounted,pistons Within the cylinders,

means-connected to thepistons for producing rotation of the cylinders',avalve within -said shaft, supply, exhaust,fand cross-firing ports in thevalve, means for diierentiallydriving" said valvewith respect to thecylinders. and a mechanical mixing device located-Within the valveforthoroughly mixing the vapor and air supplied to said cylinders.

36'. ,Al rotary reciprocating combust-i'oii'engine having divergingeylinders'wit-h the gas inlet port and combustion space at the innerend, aninlet valve, an exhaust .port at the outer end, and asupplementary'valve carried .In a combustion engine, a. rotor ineludingdivergiim cylinders each having a gas port and combustion space at theinner end, a

piston-in each cylinder,'means forrecipro- 'eating the pistons duringcylinder rotation, a valve concentricvwith the cylinder movement -forcontrolling a portion of the exhaust fromsaid cylinders, means fordriving the valve vferring incandescent gas from a Working. to

.pistonin each cylinder,

ing dive'rging cylinders each havinga gas port and combustion space atthe inner end, a means for recipro` eating the pistons duringcylinderrotation,

a rotary tapered valve concentric with .cylinder movement fortransferring incandescent gas `trema working to a succeeding cylinder,

a tapered valve seat, means for' holding the valve on its seat, meansbalancing thevalve against cylinder pressure, means ordriving the valvein timed relation to the cylinders, and means for varying'the timing ofthe valve during;I rotation.

` 39. In a combustion engine, a rotor including diverging 'cylinderseach having a gas port and combustion space at the iirner end, a pistonin eating thepistons during cylinder rotation, a rotary valve concentricwith the cylinder movement and having an internal transverse passage fortransferring incandescent -gas from. a working to aA succeedingcylinder, means for driving the valve in timed relation to thecylinders, and main exhaust mcansi'ndependent of the valve-- 'I i .I A

40. In a combustion engine, a'rotor including divcrging cylinders eachhaving a gas port and combustion space at the inner end, a. piston ineach cylinder," nicanstoi" reciprocating the pistons during cylinderrotation, a rotary tapered valve ce' inder movement for controlling aportion of the exhaust from said cylinders, means for driving the valvein timed relationto the cylinders, a. tapered valve scat, means forholding the valve on its seat,'means responsive to increase in itsdrivingtorque for longitudinally shifting the valve, and main exhaustmeans independent of said valve.

4l. In a combustion engine, a rotor including diverging cylinderscachhaving a gas port and combustion spaceat the inner end, a piston ineach cylinder, means for reciproeating the pistons during cylinderrotation, a valve concentricivith the cylinder movement for controllingthe supply offuel to said cylinders and having a transverse passage JIorigniting a succeeding from a working cylinder, and means for exhaustingsaid cylinders independently of said valve.

42. In a. combustion engine, 'a rotor including diverging cylinders eachhaving a gas port and combustion space at the inncr end, a piston in,each cylinder, means 'for reciproeating the pistons during cylinderrotation. a rotary tapered valve concentric lwith the cylinder movementfor passing incandescent 4gas from a working to a succeeding evlinder,

a tapered valve seat, means for holding the valve on its seat, means forcontrolling the unseating effect of cylinder pressure, and means fordriving the valve in timed relation 'increase in its driving torquenally shifting` the valve.

unseating each cylinder, means for recipro-` movement ncentiic with thecyl-4 to the cylinders,` and meansresponsive to for longitudi- 43. In acombustion engine, a rotor includ ing diverginojcylinders each having' a'gas -port and combustion space at theinner end, a piston'in ea'ehcylinder, means fo'rLr'eciproeating the pistons during cylinderrotation, a rotary tapered valve concentric With cylinder movement forpassing incandescent gas from a Wrkin-g to a'succeeding cylinder, atapered valve seat, means 'for holding the valve on its seat, meansforcentro'lling the effect et cylinder pressure, and means for, drivingthe valve in timed relation to the cylindeis, means responsive toincreasein its driving torqueltor longitudinally shifting-the valve,yand means Jfor adjusting the timing of the valve 'during rotation.

.44. In a combustion engine, a rotor includrocating the pistons duringcylinder rotation,

'a tapered Valve concentricwith the cylinder for controlling a portionof the exhaust from said cylinders, means for. pass- 'ing anotherportion of the exhaust around vsaid valve, a tapered valve seat, meansforA jholding the valve on' ,its seat, and means' for llongitudinallyshifting the valve-in response to increase'in its driving torque. i

45. In acombustion engine, a rotor inclnd ing cylinders, each having agas port and combustion space at their, adjacent ends, a -piston in eachcylinder, means for reciprocating the istons during'cylinder rotation, avalve concentric with cylinderrmovement and having an internal passagespaced from the'valve body for transferring' incandescent gas from aWorking to' a succeedingV cylinder.

46. In a combustion engine, a vrotor including cylinders, each having agas port and combustion space at their adjacent ends, a piston in each'cylinder, means for reciprocating the pistons during cylinder rotation,a valve concentric vwith the cylinder movement havinga combustionchamber therein,

ying diverging cylinders each having Ia'gas ies an internal Apassageconnected with said chamber or .transferring incandescent -gas J from aworking to a succeeding cylinder, and

therein, actuating means for the pistons, aA

tapered concentric valve, a tapered valve seat,

means holding the valveon the seat,`means Jfor balancing unseatingcylinder pressure,.

meansfor driving said valve in timed relation tothe cylinders,

ing the valve timing during rotation.

. 48. A fluid expansion engine having a cylinder, a'piston therein,driving means for the piston, a tapered valve controlling the and meansfor adjusti passage of cylinder fuel, a tapered' valve seat, means forholding the valve on 'its seat, means for balancing unseating cylinderpressure,

y Vmeans fordriving said valve in timed relation to the piston, andmeans for longitudinally shifting' the valve against said-holding means1n response te increase 1n its driving der movement having a less numberof inlet I ports than 'the number of cylindersfor sup'- plying fuelcharge .through said port, 4an ex# llaust poriJ at the outer end of each-cylinder, supplementary exhaustlports in said valve body connected tothe inner end of each cyl-V in'der the passages from each exhaust portbeing connected, and means carried by the vaive body preventing backfire.

Signed at Nein7 York city in the county of i New York end State `ofNewYork this 11th dayofAugust, A. 1923.

y WILLIAM HARPER,` 'Je

